Metropolitan State University of Denver combines open admission with excellent mobility outcomes, ranking in the 91st percentile nationally for economic advancement. The university serves substantial populations of first-generation, Pell-eligible, and transfer students while maintaining affordable costs and generating earnings beyond expectations.
With typical performance, reflecting the balance between accessible admission and career outcomes
With strong performance, indicating controlled costs and manageable debt levels relative to outcomes
With strong performance, driven by substantial Pell enrollment, first-generation support, and transfer student accommodation
With excellent-tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Excellent mobility performance with open access
Metropolitan State University of Denver ranks #249 nationally with mobility performance at the 91.1st percentile, earning excellent-tier recognition for economic advancement. Located in Denver, Colorado, this large public university maintains an open-access admission policy with a 99.1% acceptance rate while serving diverse student populations.
MSU Denver enrolls 35.1% Pell-eligible students and 40.5% first-generation students, reflecting strong commitment to educational access. The institution admits 61.2% transfer students, indicating substantial support for non-traditional pathways.
Despite open admission, graduates demonstrate solid outcomes with median earnings of $52,093 ten years after enrollment. The university generates $1,840 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it above average nationally for value-added performance.
This combination of broad accessibility and meaningful economic outcomes places MSU Denver within the Under-Resourced Institutions category, where limited resources accompany strong student success efforts.
MSU Denver delivers solid return on investment through controlled costs and manageable debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $52,093 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 47th percentile nationally.
While earnings fall below the peer median of $60,543, the institution generates $1,840 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 63rd percentile for value-added performance. This indicates graduates achieve outcomes that exceed predictions based on their academic backgrounds and demographics.
First-generation and transfer students seeking affordable education with strong career support in business, healthcare, and applied sciences. Well-suited for working adults and non-traditional students given the 61.2% transfer rate and open admission policy that prioritizes opportunity over selectivity.
Metropolitan State University of Denver maintains an open-access admission policy, accepting 99.1% of applicants. This translates to roughly 99 out of every 100 applicants receiving admission offers, making MSU Denver one of the most accessible four-year universities in the nation.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights how much more accessible MSU Denver is compared to typical public institutions, with a 21 percentage point difference in favor of student access. This open-access approach aligns with the university's mission to serve diverse student populations, including substantial numbers of transfer students, first-generation learners, and working adults.
The 99.1% acceptance rate means that admission decisions focus primarily on meeting basic eligibility requirements rather than competitive selection among qualified candidates. For prospective students, this removes much of the uncertainty associated with college admission, allowing focus to shift toward program selection, financial planning, and academic preparation for success once enrolled.
Students building college lists should view MSU Denver as a highly reliable option where admission is virtually guaranteed for eligible applicants, making it an excellent foundation school for Colorado residents and others seeking accessible higher education opportunities.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Metropolitan State University of Denver maintains affordable pricing that supports its mission of educational access. The published cost of attendance reaches $22,825 annually, including $10,780 for in-state tuition, $12,045 for room and board, and $1,460 for books and supplies.
Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $29,503, though many students qualify for reduced non-resident rates. However, the average student pays just $14,294 after financial aid, representing savings of $8,531 compared to the sticker price.
This net price falls slightly above the peer median of $15,590 by $1,296, indicating costs remain competitive within MSU Denver's institutional category. The financial aid system effectively reduces costs across income levels, with net prices ranging from $12,364 for the lowest-income students to $21,812 for highest-income families.
Net price variation of $9,448 between income extremes demonstrates progressive aid targeting that makes education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. The controlled costs support MSU Denver's role as an accessible option for Colorado residents and transfer students seeking affordable bachelor's degree completion.
Students should expect reasonable educational costs that align with the institution's public mission and diverse student population.
MSU Denver graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over their careers. Median earnings grow from $45,391 six years after enrollment to $48,919 at eight years and $52,093 at ten years, representing 14.8% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from a substantial ten-year cohort of 8,368 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $1,840 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing MSU Denver in the 63rd percentile for value-added performance.
This uplift indicates the institution's effectiveness in supporting student success beyond what demographic factors alone would predict. Low-income graduates earn $40,400, ranking at the 50th percentile nationally, showing consistent outcomes across economic backgrounds.
Earnings span from $30,445 at the 25th percentile to $75,678 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the university's diverse program portfolio. Approximately 26.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
The steady earnings trajectory combined with reasonable debt levels supports long-term career advancement for graduates.
Computer Science.
85 graduates
Audio Engineering Technology/Technician.
11 graduates
Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering Technology/Technician.
50 graduates
Information Resources Management.
83 graduates
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
21 graduates
MSU Denver offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, spanning business, healthcare, technology, and liberal arts fields. Computer Science ranks #92 nationally and #3 in Colorado, graduating 85 students with median earnings of $99,081 and a value score of 50.3.
Information Resources Management ranks #35 nationally and #1 in Colorado, producing 83 graduates earning $72,945. Adult Health Nursing ranks #197 nationally but delivers strong Colorado-level performance at #3 statewide, with 114 graduates earning $70,699.
Behavioral Neuroscience stands out as a flagship program, ranking #23 nationally and #1 in Colorado with 207 graduates earning $41,630. Business Administration and Management graduates 172 students annually with median earnings of $59,641, ranking #157 nationally.
The university's largest programs by enrollment include Behavioral Neuroscience, Biology, and Business Administration, reflecting student demand for health sciences and professional preparation. Several programs achieve top rankings within Colorado, including Accounting Technology, Digital Marketing, and Forensic Social Work, indicating strong regional recognition.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cleveland State University Similar quality tier (#247 ranked) | OH | 95% | $52,131 | #247 | Compare |
University Of North Georgia Similar quality tier (#244 ranked) | GA | 72% | $50,135 | #244 | Compare |
University Of Delaware Similar quality tier (#251 ranked) | DE | 65% | $72,950 | #251 | Compare |
Ferris State University Similar quality tier (#240 ranked) | MI | 81% | $54,735 | #240 | Compare |
University Of West Georgia Similar quality tier (#256 ranked) | GA | 49% | $49,587 | #256 | Compare |
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This is the Metropolitan State University Of Denver hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/metropolitan-state-university-of-denver/analysis.